An Eleven-Year Single-Centre Experience of Pediatric Intensive Care Unit Admissions Following Suicide Attempts in Portugal

Abstract

Adolescents with severe suicide attempts requiring intensive care represent a major public health challenge, with high morbidity and resource utilization. This retrospective study reviewed all cases of young people aged 10 to 18 years admitted to a pediatric intensive care unit between 2014 and 2024 following a suicide attempt. Eighteen cases were identified, predominantly female patients (72%) with a median age of 15.5 years. The most common methods were drug overdose (56%) and major trauma due to jumping from heights (39%). Most patients required invasive mechanical ventilation (89%), with a mean pediatric intensive care unit stay of 5.6 days and a total hospital stay of 29 days, markedly longer in trauma cases. No deaths occurred, but three patients developed severe sequelae. Family conflict, gender/sexuality concerns and school-related problems were frequent precipitating factors; only one patient had a previously recorded suicide attempt. Following discharge, 89% were referred for psychiatric follow-up, with post-discharge diagnoses of depression, anxiety, personality disorder and substance abuse. These findings highlight the need for systematic suicide risk screening in primary care and emergency settings, community- and family-based interventions, and structured post-discharge protocols to prevent recurrence and reduce long-term complications.